Upton House has issued an unusual appeal for furniture and household items. But volunteers who decide to lend a hand will certainly need a good eye for detail – they’ll be furnishing an exquisite doll’s house.
Following on from the huge success of Knitting for Victory – which saw Upton House set a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest knitted bunting – the team was keen to launch another project designed to involve and inspire the local community.
A 1:12 scale representation of the National Trust property, the doll’s house has 14 rooms in total. Four have already been decorated and furnished by volunteers – but there are still 10 to go and more help is needed.
The team is appealing to volunteers to make replicas of key items, plus everyday household items including books, magazines, newspaper, rugs, bed linen, towels, plants, flowers, cushions, kitchen items and bathroom items.
And to complete the project – part of the ongoing Made to Measure initiative – the team at Upton House also need figures to populate the house, all dressed in authentic period clothing. The four rooms completed so far are Lady Bearsted’s bedroom, the dining room, entrance hall and a maid’s room.
Bob volunteered to make the 8 foot dolls house ready for visitor to furnish
NTI/James Dobson
Bob volunteered to make the 8 foot dolls house ready for visitor to furnish
The doll’s house should be fully decorated and furnished by Christmas 2019, when it will be placed on display in the Picture Room at Upton House. Michelle Leake, House and Collections Manager at Upton House, said: “We’re hoping this new project will add to the sense of belonging that the act of making creates for visitors, volunteers and staff alike.”
The Upton House volunteer doll’s house co-ordinators are on hand to offer any advice to visitors looking to make items, but unsure how to go about it. Volunteers can email for the list of items needed and to register that they will be making a piece, which will avoid duplication.
The email address is UptonDolls’House@nationaltrust.org.uk
1:12 scale stained glass window from Upton
Meg Walker Hudson
1:12 scale stained glass window from Upton
See the house progress
Join us at Upton throughout the made-to-measure project (2017-2019) to see the rooms ‘dressed’ with your contributions. The grand unveiling of the completed doll's house will be at Christmas 2019.
Share your work!
Keep us up to date with the progress on the items you are making by posting pictures on our social media channels, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @uptonhouseNT
Bob made the doll's house. Here he tells us how it all began and how he planned to create a representation of Upton in miniature form, for the Made-to-Measure Doll's House project.
See the Architect's studio and discover how Upton was redesigned in 1927Pete Cox
Lord Bearsted made Upton his country home in 1927 and set about creating the perfect country residence for his family and growing art collection. Explore the fashionable tastes of the day and learn how to create a home made-to-measure. You can also pre-book house entry here too.
